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“Hopefully the league will handle it, and take care of it and protect our players,” Knies said.

While the Leafs were happy with the win, the outcome of the game seemed secondary.

“I don’t like that,” said Joseph Woll, who earned the win in replacing Stolarz halfway through the game. “When you see your teammate go down like that, it’s not good.”

The league was expected to review the play, an uncalled elbow to the head at 7:20 of the second period that occurred toward the end of a Florida power play and pc28����up 3-1 on two goals by William Nylander and one by Morgan Rielly.

“We’re hopeful for Anthony and his health,” said Panthers coach Paul Maurice, who had Stolarz last season. “We know that guy and we hope he gets better real fast.”

Leafs coach Craig Berube would only offer that Stolarz was “being evaluated” and didn’t confirm multiple reports Stolarz had been taken to hospital.

“That’s all I got for you guys on Stolarz,” said Berube. “Not going to keep commenting on it.”

At issue is whether the league will fine, suspend or let Bennett off the hook.

“They’ll look at everything and decide what’s necessary,” said Berube. “I know it’s an elbow. I’m not sure why there wasn’t a call on it. But I get it. They miss calls, but it’s clearly a penalty.”

Maurice contended that referee Chris Rooney, one of the game’s best zebras, saw the hit and chose not to call it.

“The referee is standing right there when it happened,” said Maurice. “You (media) go do your thing. The league will do its thing and I will coach the next game.”

The order of events might also be a consideration.

At 5:06 of the first period, Sam Reinhart took a wrist shot from 36 feet that popped Stolarz’s mask off his head. The goalie readjusted his helmet and play resumed.

Toward the end of a Florida power play in the second period, Bennett elbowed Stolarz in the head at 7:20.

Stolarz lay on the ice for a few seconds, but got up. He had a few words with the officials. The infraction was not called. The Leafs killed that penalty, and Chris Tanev made it 4-1 about 30 seconds later, and Leaf fans were loving what was looking like a laugher.

But during a TV timeout at 10:14, Stolarz left his net, had a chat at the bench, appeared to vomit and went down the hallway to the Leaf room.

“We didn’t know what happened,” said Rielly. “We have all the faith in the world in Joe. You don’t want to lose anyone in a game. But we have faith in our depth and all our guys. So I thought Joe came in and did a good job.”

Leaf goalies

Stolarz is clearly the Leafs’ top goalie, trusted in all six games in the first round. He went 4-2 against Ottawa, with a .901 save percentage and 2.21 goals against average to lead the Leafs into the second round.

It was Woll’s first appearance since April 17, a 4-3 overtime win over Detroit. He’s appeared in post-season games for the Leafs in both 2023 and 2024, with a 4-3 record, .933 save percentage, and 1.78 goals-against average. Dennis Hildeby is the Leafs’ third goaltender.

The switch in goalie seemed to enliven the Panthers, who managed just nine shots against Stolarz. They threw 20 at Woll, scoring twice early in the third.

“It’s a tough situation for sure (for Woll), especially in a playoff game with this magnitude,” said Beriube. “He handled it well I thought. And also we got the win.”

Stolarz stopped eight of nine shots he faced. Woll stopped 17 of 20.

Dennis Hildeby joined the team on the bench for the third period as the team’s third goalie.

Panthers hunting

Physically, the Leafs gave as good as they got, with each side trying to use their physicality to send a message. The Leafs didn’t retaliate to any of Florida’s late shots.

The Panthers have a reputation for taking no prisoners. Bennett concussed Knies back in the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs, the only other time the two Atlantic Division rivals met in the post-season.

The Tampa Bay Lightning complained about the Panthers after their first-round meeting. Anthony Cirelli suffered an MCL sprain during Game 1 during a dustup with Gustav Forsling. Brandon Hagel was involved in a clash with Panthers’ Aaron Ekblad, which left him suffering from a concussion. Ekblad was suspended two games, including Game 1 against Toronto.

Bennett, clearly now Public Enemy No. 1 in Toronto, declined to speak to the media after the game.

“He’s a hard player,” Knies said of Bennett. “You guys watch hockey too. You guys see it too. He’s an intimidating player. But I don’t think what he was doing was effective.”

Game notes

Nylander opened the scoring for the Maple Leafs 33 seconds into the first period, the seventh-fastest game-opening goal (0:33) in Maple Leafs post-season history.

Nylander tied his single-game playoff career-high with three points (two goals, one assist).

Rielly’s goal was the 14th goal of his playoff career, setting a franchise record for career post-season goals by a defenceman, passing Ian Turnbull (13).

Calle Järnkrok skated in the 100th playoff game of his NHL career.